Daily Republican., 1887-04-16
lau00ln IN 1884.

But now . new character came for.
ward IN the political stage In Central
Illinois; or rather an old fave rite re-
appeared. Thi, Was Abraham Lincoln.
Since bis return to Springfield from his
single term OF service In Cong ess, in
1847 to 1s4s, though by no means On
tirely withdrA wn from politics, bis &C.
tive work had been greatly Diminished.
His Congregational lite had largely in
creased the horizon Of his observation.
Perhaps It had a.so extended the bounds
Of his am bition He had doubtless dis
covered many of his own defects. and
not unlikely had diligently sought to
remedy them. The re:iod following
had for Inn been years OF work study
and ret ,ction. His profession OF law
had become deeper science ard a
higher responsibility. His practice, re-
ceiving bis undivided attention, broue ht
him more importap and more remuDe
rative cases. Losing nothing OF his
genial bumor, his character took on the
dignity OF q graver manhood. He was
still the centre and the idol OF every
social group he encountered, whether
on the street or In the per or. Serene
and buoJ ant OF temper. cordial and
winning Of language. charitable and
" OHintOut MS WY p.NoNoSo
ditiused q glow Of confidence and kind.
Desc. Wherever be went he left an ever
widening ripple Of tmilts, jssts and
laughter. His ever radiant good fellow.
ship WAS beloved and sought alike by
political opponents and partisan friends.
His sturdy aud delicate integrity, recog-
nized far and wide, had long since won
him the blunt but hearty sobriquet Of
Honest Old Abe." But 1t became
noticeable that of late ears he was lees
among the crowd and more in the soil.
tn 10 OF his office or study, aud that be
eaemed ever in haste to leave the eager
circle be v as entertaining.
IL WAS In the midsummer Of 1854 that
We find him reappearing on the stump
In Central Illinois. Tho rural popnla
tion always welcomed his oratory, made
up OF ready wit, apt illustration, simple
statement, fcrcibie logic. His dictloD
was familiar to the ear, his stories we're
racy Ct tbe soil. He never lacked for
invitations to address the public. His
fisst speeches on the new and all absorb.
ing topic we're made In the neigh boring
towns, and in the counties adjoining
his own. Towards the end Of august
the candidates for Congress In that dis
trict were, in Western phrase, ION the
track" Yates, afterwards ore of the
famous "wsr governors" sought q re-
election "a Wing. Harris, as a
Douglas Democrat, strove to supplant
him. Local politics became xcfive,
AMI lincoln was sent for in ell direc
tons to address the people. When be
went, however, he distinctly announced
that ne did not propose to take up his
time with this SeIsonal and congress.
sional controversy. His Intention was
TO discuss the principle Of the Nebraska
bill.
Onoe launched upon this theme men
we're surprised TO find him imbued with
q new and un ~onted serious ness. They
heard Fl. m L 1, lips fewer anecdotes and
more history. Care esq Listener who
Game IN lsuRh at his jokes NAT speli.
bound by the strong current Of his rea.
roning and the fisshes OF his earnest
and were lifted up by the
range and tenor OF his Argument into q
fresher and purer political atmosphere.